Peoples through space and time Archaeology in Germany 09.05 ...

from the mother and only changes by mutation. Through tracing common mutations occurring over time
questions of origin may be answered.
In 1997 mitochondrial DNA was extracted for the first time from the humerus bone of the first
Neanderthal skeleton to be found. The genetic differences to humans living today point to the fact that
the Neanderthal was not a direct ancestor.
Genetic Fingerprints of an Extended Family
When skeletons were found in the Lichtenstein Cave near Osterode in 1980, they were thought to be the
remains of human sacrifices from the late Bronze Age.
It was not until 1992, when systematic excavations began to take place, that 38 human remains of both
sexes and all ages were recovered, of which it was possible to analyze 21 with regard to their ‘genetic
fingerprint’. Fortunately, low temperatures existing in the cave created an excellent environment for
preserving DNA. Because of this, it was possible to determine family kinship with 99-percent certainty,
which is the necessary standard for modern paternity tests, for example.
As a result, it was possible to reconstruct kinship for the first time within a prehistoric group without
any archaeological indication of family relationships existing previously. The analysis proved that
kinship among the skeletal bodies is similar to what you would find in a graveyard of the same era,
making it possible to identify the cave as a place of burial.
The Thermoluminescence Method
Some minerals store energy from radioactive elements and cosmic radiation. The older the mineral, the
more energy is stored in its crystal lattice. This energy is set free at temperatures over 500°C and the
process of absorption begins again. For analysis, heat (over 500°C) is applied to samples so that the
energy stored will be emitted in the form of light (=Thermoluminiscence). This light is measured and
determines the age of the sample. The Thermoluminiscence method is especially used to determine the
age of samples that are 50,000 to 100,000 years old.
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The Middle and Late Stone Age of Hunters, Gatherers and Fishers
The Middle and Late Stone Ages together form the longest period in human history, comprising more
than a million years. During this time, hunters and gatherers were subject to intense climatic change.
Already in the 19 th century interdisciplinary research was being carried out to determine the kind of
conditions under which humans lived during the Ice Age. Archaeology’s main concern was at first to
study and classify the stone tool forms found at ancient resting places, to assign them within a
stratigraphic-chronological order and to chronologically order this era.
Excavations of the past decades have been carried out with great accuracy, allowing a systematic
analysis of Ice Age hunting camps. Apparently they were set up according to functional criteria. Recent
research has shown that prehistoric hunting communities were intelligently organized, even those of
Homo erectus 400,000 years ago. As a result, views of our ancestors’ primitive life have begun to
change. In determining the dates, the kind of climate and environment that prevailed, as well as in
reconstructing ecological correlations, other related scientific disciplines are of prime importance.
The Oldest Spears in the World
Since 1992 more Paleolithic sites are being excavated at the brown coal mining works in Schöningen,
south of Helmstedt in Lower Saxony. These massive 10- to 15-meter-thick Ice Age deposits with their
interglacial layers are rich reservoirs of animal and plant remains. As such they offer a chance to more
accurately reconstruct the climate, vegetation and environmental history of Central Europe for the time
ranging from 400,000 years ago to today.
Of particular importance is the discovery of a camp of wild horse hunters spread over an area of
approximately 2500 m² in which thousands of bones, flintstone tools and various campfire sites have
been found. A major advance in research is represented by seven wood spears found in total and dated
at 400,000 years old - the oldest preserved human hunting tools ever to have been found. In addition,
the discovery at Schöningen proves that the Central European Homo erectus was capable of producing
effective projectile weapons and of organizing a systematic hunt for big game.
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